Machine and system for power generation through movement of water

ABSTRACT

A machine and system for power generation through movement of water having an array of power generating cells electrically interconnected, where the array is configured in an interchangeable modular fashion and the cells are positioned to receive kinetic energy from the movement of water to generate electricity through the movement of an electrical turbine within each cell. The individual turbines and cells may generate relatively small amounts of electricity and use polymer magnetics in the impellers and windings in the turbine to withstand ocean environments and are stacked on electrically conductive trays for ease of installation and replacement.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of pending application Ser. No. 10/851,604 filedMay 21, 2004, which is related to provisional patent application No.60/474,051 titled “A Machine for Power Generation through Movement ofWater,” filed on May 29, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by referenceas if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of power generation andmore specifically to a machine and system for power generation throughmovement of water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Extraction of energy from water sources has been a desire of mankind forages. Various methods involve water wheels, entrainment, andhydroelectric turbines. Prior attempts to convert ocean tidal movementsor current into power involve large scale systems, the use oftraditional generators and various turbines to capture the power of thewater.

The deficiency in the prior art is that the systems are not easilyconfigurable for different settings, require large scale constructionand are not commercially viable. They are not suitable to being movedeasily, they are not topographically adaptable, nor do they withstandthe corrosive effects of water. Further, the weight needed for atraditional generator having magnets and copper wire inhibitsreplacement. Moreover, there has been no system using an array of smallpower cells arranged in parallel to capture the movement of the ocean,rivers or other current in such a way as to combine relatively smallgenerators into one large power production system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A water driven turbine is used to extract electrical energy from themoving water (wave, current, tidal or other). A turbine fan will rotateindependently in a converging nozzle to extract additional energy frommoving water after each independent turbine fan. The fan blades rotateindependently inside of a housing. The housing contains windings made ofcopper or a conductive polymer or other conductive material. Rotatingmagnetic field produced from a magneto polymer, particulate materialsthat generate a magnetic field suspended in a homogeneous orheterogeneous polymer or traditional magnetic material such as Fe, CoNi, Gd, Sn, Nd or ceramics that exhibit magnetic fields generateselectrical energy as the independent turbine containing the magneticmaterial passes by the conductive windings. The magneto polymer differsin that the magnetic characteristic exists at the atomic level asopposed to a particulate mixture suspended in a polymer. The trussstructure in the polymer housing is composed of polymer or fiberglassreinforced polymer, carbon composite or nanotube reinforced polymer. Thetruss structure supports the central shaft of the turbine blade assemblyinside of the polymer turbine housing. Electrical energy that isgenerated in each turbine should be in the range of 0.001-5,000 watts(W) but could be as large as 100,000 W per turbine. The electricalenergy is transferred from the winding of each turbine and connected inparallel to a power transfer conduit internal to each of the turbinehousings composed of copper wire or electrically conductive polymer. Thepower is transferred from one turbine housing to the next via theinternal conduit until it can be transferred to a collection system formetering and eventual transfer to the grid. If one generator generatesbetween 0.001-100,000 W, then a plurality of generators connected inparallel in a two dimensional array has the potential to generatecommercial quantities in the multiple megawatt (MW) range. Since thissystem is made of polymer, ceramic or nonferrous coated metal, and anypotentially magnetic part internal to the turbine does not contact thewater directly, it does not corrode, it is light weight, it is portable,it is cheap to manufacture and replace and topographically configurable.Additionally, the array's modular (cellular) design allows for repairsand maintenance of the turbines without taking the entire powergenerating capacity of the array offline. Realistically, only afractional amount of power generating capacity would be taken offline atany one time as only individual vertical stacks in the two dimensionalarray would be taken offline for maintenance of a turbine in that stack.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a a machine for power generation through movement of waterhaving an array of power generating cells electrically interconnected,where the array is composed of cells in a interchangeable modulararrangement and the cells are positioned to receive kinetic energy fromthe movement of water, wherein the cells convert energy by the movementof an electrical turbine within each cell.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, thereis disclosed a machine for power generation through movement of waterhaving a housing with electrically conductive windings, an impellerdisplaced within the housing having polymer magnetic elements thatcreate induced electrical energy upon rotation of the impeller withinthe housing, and blades on the impeller for receiving kinetic energyfrom water wherein the impeller is motivated by the movement of wateracross the blades.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, thereis disclosed a system for power generation through movement of waterhaving a plurality of turbines with magnetic polymer displaced in animpeller of a the turbines, where the impellers are surrounded byelectrically conductive windings displaced in a housing about theimpellers, the turbines are arrayed in a modular arrangement andelectrically interconnected where the impellers are motivated by themovement of water to generate electricity.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, thereis disclosed a system for power generation through the movement of waterhaving a plurality of energy cells, each cell individually producingless than 5000 Watts each, a tray for holding said cells in electricalcommunication through an electrical conduit internal to the polymer withone or more of the cells, the cells are arranged in vertically stackedarrays in the ocean and transverse to the ocean tidal movement, and thearrays are electrically connected to the electrical grid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating average current velocity as a function ofwater depth in an ocean deepwater zone.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating water velocity as a function of waterdepth in an ocean breakwater zone.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an array of power cells for acommercial scale generation site.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vertical stack of cells ina portion of an array oriented for uni-directional flow in a deepwaterzone.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vertical stack of cells ina portion of an array oriented for bi-directional flow in a deepwaterzone.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a conical impeller having aplurality of fan blades in a single stage set in a housing forelectrical connection in an array.

FIG. 7 is a front end elevational view of an impeller with a pluralityof blades.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electricity connectiontray for electrically mounting stacks of cells.

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram illustrating an array of bi-directionalcells oriented orthogonally to the flow of ocean water.

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram illustrating an array of bi-directionalcells with anchors and flotation marker and electrical connections.

FIGS. 10A through 10D show several views of a conical turbine generatorand an electricity collection tray for creating an array of cells.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a side and front/back view of a turbine generatorhaving a plurality of impellers.

FIG. 12 show a group of arrays of power generating cells electricallyconnected to the grid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a representativebasis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the presentinvention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure ormanner.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a graph depicting average or meancurrent velocity 10 as a function of water depth 12 in the oceandeepwater zone. It is observed that velocity is relatively constant indeepwater zones, between some upper and lower limits, and for certainpurposes may be a source of water energy applicable to the presentinvention. The Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean and Kuroshio Current inthe Pacific Ocean provide examples of steady deepwater current that thepresent invention could utilize to drive a plurality of cells arrayed asfurther described herein. However, in a deepwater zone, it is difficultto harness the water power and maintain an array of power generatingunits. In contrast, the water movement in a breakwater zone, a nonelectrified reservoir, a river or aqueduct are more amenable to theadvantages and benefits of the current invention.

FIG. 2 shows a graph depicting water velocity 20 as a function of waterdepth 22 in an ocean's breakwater zone. It is observed that as waterdepth decreases, i.e. as the wave approaches the shore, the velocity ofthe water increases to dissipate the energy contained in the wave. Thisprovides a ready and renewable source of energy for an array of cells ofthe type described herein. As will be more fully appreciated below, thepresence of shoreline energy capturing systems as shown herein, benefitfrom this phenomenon to create cheap and reliable energy. This methodwill work for any accessible moving body of water with fairly constantvelocity for a given cross sectional area.

FIG. 3 shows an array set 30 that are aligned in a preferred embodimentof the present invention. Array set 30 is comprised of a series ofindividual arrays 34, which are deployed in the breakwater zone parallelto a beach 32 in an ocean's breakwater zone to receive the movement oftidal water. Such arrays could be aligned transverse to the flow of ariver to take advantage of the prevailing current, in a deepwater zonethat might benefit from a current movement or in other locations to takeadvantage of localized current. Each array 34 is a series of stackedenergy cells that are driven individually by the movement of waterthrough energy cells that are stacked together in some fashion. Thecells are interconnected through an electricity connection tray (seeFIG. 8) so that each array set 30 generates a summing of electricalenergy from the energy cells. The array set 30 is then eventuallyconnected to the power grid.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a single stack 40 of energy cells 42 in alarger array as depicted in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 shows a single stack 40 ofenergy cells 42 for reception of unidirectional water flow in adeepwater zone or river, or even a breakwater zone. As water flowsacross the energy cells shown by left pointing arrows 44, energy cells42 receive kinetic energy which in turn generates power. The individualenergy cells 42 are stacked and electrically interconnected at positiveand negative poles 46 to generate power that is transmitted over lines49 to an inverter or the power grid. Each individual energy cell 42 mayproduce a small amount of energy but stacks 40 of energy cells 42connected in parallel produce substantial energy. Stack 40 may be mooredat anchor 48 in the ocean floor by conventional means well known in theart. The arrays thus arranged are flexible and float in the water whileat the same time presenting themselves transverse to the water flow formaximum power generation.

A significant advantage of the modularization of the power array is theuse of small power devices which in a preferred embodiment may havepower outputs on the order of 0.001-5000 W. This permits the use ofdevices that may be significantly smaller than typical power generatingturbines on the scale of 0.001 in 3 to 50,000 in^(3.)

By using such small devices, the creation of a large array is greatlyfacilitated and permits the ready exchange of non-functioning deviceswithout affecting the power generation for any period of time. Suchminiaturization of the power generating devices may be termed amicro-generator or micro-device. The combination of a multiple devicesinto an array has an output when summed that is equal to a much largersingle generator.

FIG. 5 shows a single stack 50 of energy cells 52 for maximum receptionof the bi-directional water flow in a breakwater zone. As water flowsacross the energy cells 52 shown by the left and right pointing arrows54, energy cells 52 receive kinetic energy which in turn generatespower. Water flow may be through tidal action having the ebb and flow intwo directions thereby activating cells designed and positioned tobenefit from both directions of water movement. FIG. 5 shows a side viewof one stack 50 of cells 52 in a larger array as depicted in FIG. 3 withthe cells electrically interconnected by positive and negative poles 56in similar fashion as described in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 show a side view of a single cell impeller 60 having a pluralityof fins (see FIG. 7) for converting kinetic energy into electricalenergy. The individual cell is configured for electrical connections 64to other cells in parallel fashion creating a cumulative powergeneration. The impeller 60 (or turbine) is situated in a housing thatis properly configured to generate electricity. The housing has a crossbrace (depicted in FIG. 7) for added stability. The generator is createdby having magnets or magnetic material positioned in the housing for theblades and positioning windings in the housing surrounding the impeller60. As the impeller 60 is turned by the action of the water, anelectromagnetic force is created imparting current on the windings andin turn generating electricity. By configuring the cells in parallelelectrical connections, the small amount of energy generated by anindividual cell are added together to produce a larger amount ofelectrical energy.

In a preferred embodiment using conventional polymer fabrication meanswell known in the art, turbines and housings may be manufactured wheremagnetic polymers or magneto polymers are used to replace standardmagnets and copper windings. The amount of magnetic polymer or magnetopolymer used and its proper location are a function of the degree ofmagnetic attraction desired for the particular application. Magneticforces and conductivity sufficient to generate the wattages desiredherein are achievable using such materials and result in a generatorthat is lightweight and impermeable to the corrosive forces of water.

A single turbine may be fitted with independent blade rings 66 to allowextraction of maximum work along the longitudinal axis and the turbinemay be tapered along its outer circumference 68 to increase velocity offlow due to the constricting of the nozzle in the turbine.

FIG. 7 shows an end view of a single turbine housing 70 and impeller 72with a plurality of fan blades 74, beneficial for capturing the maximumamount of energy from the movement of water. Cross brace 76 providesadded stability.

FIG. 8 shows an electricity connection tray 80 for affixing multiplecell stacks to create the larger arrays shown in FIG. 3. Tray 80 haselectrical post channels positive 82 and negative 84 for makingelectrical connection to the stack of cells. Each group of verticallystacked cells is placed on a tray. First vertical stack 85, Secondvertical stack 86 and N vertical stack 88 is placed one next to theother in electrical parallel connections 82 and 84 and in turn, theadjoining stacks of cells are electrically interconnected through thestacking base. As can readily be seen, tray 80 may accommodate aplurality of vertical stacks all electrically interconnected. Thus, anynumber of vertical stacks may be arrayed in this fashion and each stackmay be of any of a number of cells as desired for the particularapplication. Such a polymer transfer plate may be mounted on the top ofa plurality of cells for additional stacking, to provide electricalinterconnection and thus permit transfer of power from an array to arectifier/inverter and then to a grid. This arrangement permits readyinstallation and ease of repair.

FIG. 9A shows a perspective view of cell array 92 having a plurality ofcells aligned to either to receive the flow of water from the ocean side94 or to receive the flow of water from the beach side 95. By arrangingthe cells in this fashion, individual cells are positioned to maximallyconvert the kinetic energy from the ebb and flow of the water. In thisembodiment a particular cell is aligned either in one direction or theother and its power generating turbine spins optimally when receivingthe direction of flow for which it was designed.

FIG. 9B shows a side view of an overall arrangement of cells forreceiving bi-directional flow in a stack of cells that are electricallyinterconnected as herein described. The stacks are preferably mounted onsturdy but lightweight housings 95 to resist the flow of ocean water andmaintain stability in inclement weather. The array of cells may beaffixed to the ocean floor by anchor 97 to provide greater stability. Afloatation device 98 may be employed for orientation and locationpurposes. The cells are preferably mounted on stack trays to create anarray and then are electrically summed through the operation of theelectrical connection to generate power which is transmitted onward. Theaccumulated energy produced from the array of cells may be conveyedthrough conventional wire 99 means to a grid, through superconductingcable, or other electrical conveyance means well known in the art.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show views of a conical turbine generatorhaving central shaft 100 and disposed about the shaft are a plurality ofimpeller blades in multiple stages such as stage 102. In certainembodiments, it may be preferable to have a single stage. The impellerhousing has magnets 104 inserted therein or magnetic polymer imbedded inthe housing. The exterior housing 108 of the turbine has terminal passthrough electrical connectors 106 and a rigid support 107, which allowsfor stacking of individual units. FIG. 10D also shows an electricitycollection tray 111 for creating an array of cells. The tray haselectrical connections through copper wire or conductive polymer 109.

An innovative construction of the turbines is achieved by the use ofpolymers for use in polymer molds for mass production of each individualturbine. The magnetic elements of the turbine will have embedded in theturbine one of a variety of materials among them ferrous, ceramic, ormagnetic polymer (magneto polymer rare earth magnets (NdFeB) types. Theuse of electrically conductive polymer for cathode and anode withinembedded transmission system in device and device array reduces weightand makes the manufacture of small turbines efficient and economical.Further, the use of such turbines will create zero production of CO2,CO, NOx, SOx, or ozone precursors during power generation. The impellerdesign shown in FIG. 10 is engineered in polymer to extract maximum workin tandem use with a converging housing or nozzle.

Use of polymers for corrosion resistance, low cost manufacturing, massproduction and use of polymers for impeller blades or for multiple butindependent impellers. The use of polymers for use in polymer molds formass production and the use of the following magnet types in a polymergenerator for use in generating power from the ocean: ferrous, ceramic,magnetic polymer (magneto polymer rare earth magnets (NdFeB) types.Further the use of electrically conductive polymer for cathode and anodewithin embedded transmission system in device and device array;

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a side and front/back view of a turbine generatorhaving a plurality of impellers in several stages. In certainembodiments, it may be preferable to have a single stage to extractenergy. The turbine is housed in an electrically interconnectable base111 to allow for stacking of multiple cells in a vertical fashion and aspart of a larger array. The cross brace 112 provides added support.Copper wire windings or conductive polymer windings would be configuredabout the impeller to produce current when magnets or magnetic materialimbedded in the impeller housing spin with the turbine impellerproducing magnetic flux.

FIG. 12 show a group of arrays 120 of power generating cellselectrically connected to the grid 122. The arrays are aligned at rightangles to the flow of ocean tide and are electrically connected inparallel. Floats 124 are provided at the top of the arrays foralignment, location and tracking purposes. In a preferred embodiment thearrays are located near the breakwater point to capture the maximumamount of energy near the shore.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A machine for power generation through movement of water comprising:an array of power generating cells electrically interconnected; saidarray composed of said cells in a interchangeable modular arrangement;said cells are positioned to receive kinetic energy from the movement ofwater, wherein said cells convert said energy by the movement of anelectrical turbine within each cell.
 2. A machine for power generationthrough movement of water as claimed in claim 1 wherein said turbine hasdisplaced in its impeller magnetic polymer.
 3. A machine for powergeneration through movement of water as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidcells are electrically interconnected to the electrical grid through atray capable of holding a plurality of cells
 4. A machine for powergeneration through movement of water as claimed in claim 3 furthercomprising cells deployed in opposite orientations to receive movementof water from two directions.
 5. A machine for power generation asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said cells produce less than 5000 wattsindividually.
 6. A machine for power generation through movement ofwater comprising: a housing having electrically conductive windings; animpeller displaced within said housing having polymer magnetic elementsthat create induced electrical energy upon rotation of said impellerwithin said housing; and blades on said impeller for receiving kineticenergy from water wherein said impeller is motivated by the movement ofwater across said blades.
 7. A machine for power generation throughmovement of water as claimed in claim 6 wherein said windings compriseelectrically conductive polymer embedded within said housing.
 8. Asystem for power generation through movement of water comprising: aplurality of turbines having magnetic polymer displaced in an impellerof a said turbines; said impellers surrounded by electrically conductivewindings displaced in a housing about said impellers; said turbinesarrayed in a modular arrangement and electrically interconnected;wherein said impellers are motivated by the movement of water togenerate electricity.
 9. A system for power generation through movementof water as claimed in claim 8 wherein said magnetic polymer is apolymer.
 10. A system for power generation through movement of water asclaimed in claim 8 wherein said impeller has a plurality of rotatingblades in at least one stage.
 11. A system for power generation throughmovement of water as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a transferplate upon which said cells are electrically interconnected and throughwhich transfer electrical power.
 12. A system for power generationthrough the movement of water comprising: a plurality of energy cellsindividually producing less than 5000 Watts each; a tray for holdingsaid cells in electrical communication with one or more of said cells;said cells arranged in vertically stacked arrays in the ocean andtransverse to the ocean tidal movement; wherein said arrays areelectrically connected to the electrical grid.
 13. A system for powergeneration through the movement of water as claimed in claim 12 whereinsaid arrays are moored to the ocean floor.
 14. A system for powergeneration through the movement of water as claimed in claim 12 furthercomprising floats attached to said arrays to maintain a verticalalignment in the ocean.